Man dies in Manchester club from fake ecstasy as senior policeman calls for legalisation

29/09/2013

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A bad batch of a drug masquerading as ecstasy has caused one death and hospitalized five other people after a night at the reputable Manchester club, The Warehouse Project.

Detective Inspector Aaron Duggan told the BBC: "We have now launched an investigation to establish the circumstances leading up to his death. It is possible that there may be a particularly bad batch of drugs out there in the community and that is a concern to us."

D.I. Duggan also advised anyone present at The Warehouse Project on Friday who is feeling unwell to go to hospital and seek medical advice as soon as possible

The Warehouse Project, who could have done nothing to avert the tragedy said on their Facebook account, "Everyone at The Warehouse Project are devastated about the news and our condolences are with his family," the message states.

"The Warehouse Project operates a zero tolerance policy with regards to drugs. However if you have taken something and start to feel unwell please tell a member of staff. There is a team of trained medics on site every night, and you will be treated on the premises initially. Please don't wait to get help. Tell someone as soon as you can."

The news comes as one of Britain’s most senior policeman called for the legalisation of drugs. Mike Barton, Durham's chief constable, penned an article in The Observer that suggested that the NHS should provide addicts with drugs and in doing so, destroy the cycles of criminality surrounding illegal drugs.

Barton said: "If an addict were able to access drugs via the NHS or something similar, then they would not have to go out and buy illegal drugs. Buying or being treated with, say, diamorphine is cheap. It's cheap to produce it therapeutically.

"Not all crime gangs raise income through selling drugs, but most of them do in my experience. So offering an alternative route of supply to users cuts their income stream off.

"What I am saying is that drugs should be controlled. They should not, of course, be freely available," Barton wrote.